Aeroplane propelling means



D. G. HARKINS. AEROPLANE PROPELLINGVMEANS. APPLICATION HLED 1111?..29, 1921.

1 349573272. Patented Feb. 21, 1922;. l

2 SHEETS- SHEET 1.

CZ l,

D. G. HARKINS.

AE'ROPLANE'PROPELLING MEANS.

APPLIcAIIoII FILED IIIAII. 29, 1921.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MIL/765565.-

UNITED srrE DONALD G. HARKINS, F CANTON, NORTH CAROLINA..

AEROPLANE raornltnllve MEANS.

" Application ined Maren 29,

specilication.

The object of my present invention is the provision of improved aeroplane propelling -means embodying such a construction and relative arrangement of elements that an aviator is enabled to positively and accurately vary the pitch of the propeller blades as conditions require in taking o','iiying and landing.

To the attainment of the foregoing, the invention consists in the improvementas hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification :4-

. Figure 1 is a view showing my improvement in side elevation as 'properly appliedto an aeroplane. 4

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

`Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Figure2.-

Figure 4 lis a transverse section on vthe line 4--4` of Figure 3. i

' Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section taken in the plane indicated bythe line!v Similar numerals .of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

The engine shaft 1 ofthe aeroplane is provided with longitudinal ribs 2, and on said shaft is appropriately fixed apropeller hub 3. Connected to the said hub 3 in such manner that they are capable of being turned about their axes are propeller blades 4 on the inner portions of which are lateral arms 5. Coupled to the extremities of the said arms 5 and extending rearwardly `therefrom are connecting rods 6, the rea-r end portions of whichfare coupled to a cross-head 7 which for the sake of lightness and strength is of I-form in cross-section as best shown in Figure 3.and has aweb 7a. An annular disk 10 is opposed tothe rear side of thesaid web KeyedA onthe shaft 1 in'rear of the cross-head 71's a sleeve 9-with a langeS at its' forward end; said flange 8 being opposed to the front side of the web 7n to receive headed and threaded screws 8t which extend 1921. Serial N0. 456,596.

through the flange 8 and web 7 a and strongly connect the same together and to the disk 10.v

It will Vbe manifest from the foregoing that the cross-head 7 and the sleeve. 9 and the parts connected therewith are susceptible of adjustment endwise of the shaft 1, notwithstandin they are caused in all positions to posl'tlve y turn with the shaft when the latter 1s rotated.

The sleeve 9 is exterior-ly of circular form.v

in. cross-section,` and loosely receiving the said sleeve are collars 11 and `12 with opposed and spaced langes13 on their inner portlons. Interposed between the collars 11 and 12 and loosely receiving the sleeve 9 and the collar flange 13 is a cross-head 14, preferably, though not necessarily` of Lform in cross section las illustrated. The said crosshead 14 does not rotate but is designed to be manipulated forl'the adjustment` ofthe sleeve .9 lengthwise of the shaft 1. Surrounding the sleeve 9 in rear of the collar 12 is a collar 15 which is backed by an adjustable meinber 16 through the medium ofwhich we r may be taken up when occasion deman s. The said adjustable member 16 is 'threaded specicationef Leaersratent. Patented Feb, 21,1922,I

at 17 on the rear end portion ofthe sleeve 9,l and is held against casual movement or loosening by a locking plate 18, detachably connected at 19 to the sleeve 9 and designed to be disposed in one of the circular series of'V |recesses 20, provided in the rear face of the member 16, Figure 4. Arranged in a race between the annular disk 10 and the collar 11 are/anti-friction balls 21, -and similarly arranged in a racebetweenthe collar 12 and the collar 15 are anti-friction balls 22. At its ends the cross-head 14 is coupled to the forward end portions of connecting rods 23. The rear end portions of said rods 23 are coupled to the ends of -a rodv24, Figure 1, which is connected through the medium of a link 25 with a hand lever 26, fulcrumed at 27 on the fuselageof the aeroplane. r The said lever 26 is equipped -with a detent 28 for cooperation with a segmental rack 29- fixed on the fuselage. This yprovision is desi ed to. enable an aviator to iirst adjust the b ades about their common axis, and then adjust'- ably x said blades.

Thel four sets of couplings` hereinbefore alluded vto are preferably of the ball and socket type best shown in Figure 5; thel 33 for adjusting the sections 30y and regu-y lating the tension of the spring 32., U

ln the practical use of my improvement it will be appa-rent that an aviator is enabled.

the propeller through the medium of the shaft '1. It will also be apparent that my improvement is simple and compact, and, as a whole, is well adapted to withstand the usage 'to which aeroplane parts are ordinarilyI subjected. l

yaving described my invention, what l .claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

l. ln aeroplane propulsion, the combina# tion of a shaft having a longitudinal rib, a ropeller hub fixed to said shaft, propeller blades carried by the hub and adjustable about their axes, a sleeve mounted on the shaft to Yturn therewith and be moved' longitudinally thereof and having a flange at' its forward end, a cross-head of l-form having its web surrounding the shaft and Opposed to said flange, :an annular disk surlar,

' rounding the shaft and opposed to the rear Side vof the cross-head web and connected to said web and the ange on the sleeve, rods connecting the propeller blades and, said cross-head, spaced flanged collars loosely surrounding the sleeve in rear of the said annular disk, antiffriction balls interposed between the said-disk and the forward cola cross head loosely surorunding the sleeve and the flanges of the collars and interposed between said collars, a collar dis posed in rear of therear flanged collar, antifriction balls interposed between said collars, an adjusting member threaded on the rear portion of the sleeve and arranged in rear of the third-named collar and having a circular series of seats in its rear side, a locking plate detachably connected to the Sleeve and removably arranged in one of said seats of the adjusting member, and means connected with the secondmamed cross-head whereb an .aviator is enabled to adjust and adjusta ly fix the blades. j

2. ln aeroplane propulsion means, the

combination of 'a shaft, a propeller hub,

fixed thereto, propeller blades carried vby the hub and adjustable about their axes, a sleeve mounted on the shaft to turn therewith .and to be moved endwise thereof, a cross-head carried by said sleeve, connecting rods between the propeller blades and said cross-head, a cross-head lloosely receiving the sleevewand connected with the sleeve to move the same lengthwise of the shaft, and means for adjusting and adjustably fixing the lastnamed cross-head relatively to the propeller hub.

3.111 aeroplane propulsion means, the

combination of a, shaft, a propeller hub fixed thereto, propeller blades carried by the hub and-adjustable about their axes, a sleeve mounted on the shaft to turn therewith and to be movedendwise thereof, a cross-head carried by said sleeve, connecting rods between the propeller blades and said crosshead, a cross-head loosely receiving the .sleeve and connected with the sleeve to move the same lengthwise of the shaft, and means for adjusting and adjustably fixing the lastnamed cross-head relatively to the propeller hub; said means including connecting rods extending rearwardly from said cross-head, a connection between the rear portions of said rods, a lever, means between the said connection and the lever, and means for adjustably fixing said lever.

(l. ln aeroplane propulsion means, the combination of a shaft, a propeller hub fixed thereto, propeller bladescarried by the hub and adjustable about their axes, a sleeve mounted on th shaft to turn therewith and to be moved endwise thereof, a cross-head carried by said sleeve, connecting rods between the propeller blades and said crosshead, a cross-head loosely receiving the sleeve and connected with the sleeve to move the same lengthwise of the shaft, and means for adjusting and adjustably fixing the lastnamed cross-head relatively'to the propeller hub; the second-named cross-head being interposed between flanged collars retained on the sleeve.

5. ln aeroplane propulsion means, the combination of al shaft, a propeller hub fixed thereto, propeller blades carried by the hub and adjustable about their axes, a sleeve mounted on the shaft tok turn therewith vand to be moved endwise thereof, a cross-head carried by said sleeve, connecting rods between the propeller blades and said crossn head, av cross-head loosely receiving theV ln testimony whereof, l affix my signature.

DONALD G. HARKlNS.

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